While some smaller rural curling clubs have closed their doors recently, some have tried innovative ways to generate more income. That is what the Bentley Curling Club did.

At their last spring general meeting held in April 2012, the membership decided to take a chance on running a major raffle. It was decided to raffle off a side-by-side quad.

Tickets went on sale after the May long weekend but sales were slow and looked disappointing said raffle chairperson Gerald Peterson. Tickets were also offered for sale at the local Saturday Farmer’s Markets and at the annual rodeo and did all right, but sales were not nearly up to the expectations of organizers.

After the fall 2012 curling season started up though the member ship stepped up and started selling. Now they were in the mood to talk curling and meeting up with other curling buddies and sales picked up.

The risk paid off. By the draw date 3,900 of the 5,000 tickets printed were sold, leaving a profit of about $25,000 for the club.

Murray Mackenzie from Red Deer was the grand prize winner. He won a 2012 Polaris 500 Ranger quad.

Jon Parsons from Eckville won the second prize of $2,500, and Kirk Prince from Red Deer won the third prize of $1,000. They were presented with cheques at the club.

“It could have been better,” said Peterson. “We learned a lot about running a raffle and the timing (of it). We will do things differently next time.”

Funds are being used for the ongoing operation of the Bentley curling facility.